Studies on pollution ecology of foraminifera of the Trivandrum Coast

Abstract

Analysis of sediment samples collected from the beach sand and from 5, 10 and 20 m of water depths along 3 traverses off Thumba, Trivandrum Titanium Plant (T.T.P.) and Sankhamugham revealed the occurrence of 85 species of Foraminifera belonging to 42 genera under 26 families. Based on taxonomic assemblages, 3 faunal groupings were recognized, viz. beach fauna at 0-1 m, nearshore fauna at 1-5 m and offshore fauna at 5-20 m depth. Total foraminiferal population sizes were higher in February and March than in December. In general, it was observed that the stations were independent of each other with respect to seasonal variations of foraminiferal abundance. Solution effect on the tests of Foraminifera was observed at the outfall area as well as on the polluted parts of the beach. The species diversity was relatively low at the T.T.P. site when compared to stations along Thumba and Sankhamugham.